Equestrian (Ranger Award elective)

Equestrian (Ranger Award elective) requirements

Requirement 1. Explain the characteristics of each of the three distinct American riding styles.

Requirement 2. For your preferred style (one of three styles in 1), explain the equipment you would use, including parts of the saddle and bridle.

Requirement 3. Explain the difference in natural versus artificial aids used in communicating with your horse, such as use of hands, legs, weight, voice, whips, crops, martingales, bits, and auxiliary reins.

Requirement 4. Riding attire

a. Present yourself properly attired for the riding style you prefer.

b. Explain the clothing and safety equipment a rider must have for your preferred style of riding.

Requirement 5. Horse handling

a. Demonstrate how to properly catch, bridle, and saddle a horse.

b. Demonstrate and explain at least three steps in proper mounting and two ways of dismounting.

Requirement 6. Stirrup length

a. Show how to test your correct stirrup length while you are dismounted and when you are mounted.

b. Explain short stirrup length, medium stirrup length, long stirrup length, and why stirrup length is important.

Requirement 7. Riding position

a. Explain and demonstrate the correct position of your body, feet, hands, arms, and legs while mounted.

b. Demonstrate how all parts of your body should be positioned on your horse during a trot, a canter, and a gallop and explain why this is important.

Requirement 8. Demonstrate by using a pattern that you have control of your horse. On command, be able to slow down, speed up, stop, back up and be able to move your horse through its gaits.

Requirement 9. Tack and cool down

a. Properly remove tack from your horse and store it.

b. Demonstrate proper care of your tack after riding.

c. Demonstrate proper care for your horse after a ride, including cool down, brushing, and watering and feeding, and explain why each of these steps is important.

Requirement 10. Make a tabletop display or presentation on what you have learned about horsemanship for your crew, another crew, a Cub Scout or Boy Scout group, or another group.

The official source for the information shown in this article or section is: Venturer Handbook, 2006 Edition (BSA Supply No. 33494)